Nolan Ryan to return to Astros as special assistant to Jim Crane

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Nolan Ryan is set to begin his third stint with the Astros. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

Nolan Ryan, the pride of Alvin and baseball’s all-time strikeout leader, is returning to the Astros for a third stint, hoping to help his hometown team dig out of the worst period in franchise history.

Ryan, after an abrupt departure as CEO of the rival Texas Rangers in October, will serve the Astros as an executive adviser to his son, Reid, the president of business operations; general manager Jeff Luhnow; and owner Jim Crane.

Ryan first came to help the Astros in 1980 as a free-agent ace righthander. Now, again in a time of need, the Astros have called on Ryan. It remains to be seen whether such a high-profile hiring will create friction if Luhnow’s on-field product continues its historic struggles, but the Hall of Famer said there is nothing to worry about.

“I visited with Jim, Jeff and Reid on several occasions,” Ryan, 67, said. “I think they all made me feel like they would like to have me work for them. They appreciate the experience and knowledge that I’ve gained over the course of my life in baseball. They value that and feel there’s a need.

“The fact that I feel appreciated and feel wanted certainly played a big role. And I’m having the opportunity to help Reid in any way I can.”

Three lean years

Ryan rejoins an Astros team that has set a franchise record for losses in three consecutive years, including a 51-111 mark last season. The team’s farm system, however, with Luhnow as the architect, is rated as the best in baseball by ESPN.

“When I came to the Astros as a free agent (in 1980), it was an exciting time because they were on the rise and we felt like they were going to be definitely contenders and division contenders and possibly have a shot at the playoffs,” said Ryan, who pitched for the Astros from 1980 through 1988.

“The way I view it, it’s another great time to be with the Astros.

“Obviously, they’re not at that point of (being playoff contenders), but I’d like to think within the time I’m associated with them they’ll get to that point.”

Picked by the New York Mets out of Alvin High School in the 12th round of the 1965 draft, Ryan reached the majors at 19 on Sept. 11, 1966, and eventually pitched 27 seasons in the majors. He threw a record seven no-hitters and collected a record 5,714 strikeouts while finishing with 324 victories over a career that included stops with the Mets, California
Angels, Astros and Rangers.

Although his nine-year stint with the Astros was the longest he spent with one team, he played the final five years of his career in Arlington and was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in a Rangers cap.

Long on experience

He returned to the Astros on a five-year personal services contract with former owner Drayton McLane in February 2004 but left a year early to become CEO of the Rangers in February 2008. The Rangers had just finished 75-87 but under Ryan’s guidance went to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Nolan as part of our organization,” Crane said. “We will use his experience, expertise and knowledge to improve the Astros in all areas. He will be an integral part of our management team. Nolan wants to be a part of our success moving forward.”

Through Ryan-Sanders Baseball, the families of Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders own the Class AAA Round Rock Express. Ryan, who lives in Georgetown with his wife, Ruth, will maintain his office at the Express’ Dell Diamond.

His duties with the Astros will be more modest than they were with the Rangers, and that’s fine with Ryan at this stage in his life.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” he said. “I think it’s going to be exciting.”

Although the Rangers billed his departure as a retirement after he left in October, Ryan adamantly stated he was merely resigning. That almost immediately led to speculation he would join his son with the Astros.

“Reid and I visit practically every day, and we talk about what’s going on with the club and the organization,” Nolan said. “He’ll ask me my opinion on things that he’s doing. Now it gives me an opportunity to definitely be more involved.”

Said Reid Ryan: “I’m extremely proud that my dad has decided to join the Astros’ front office. He possesses a unique quality of noticing the nuances of the game. When he talks, players listen.

“His credibility is beyond reproach, and he will be an asset to the organization. “To say I’m excited is an understatement.”